English as an Additional Language or Dialect

English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) is the study of English by students whose first language is a language or dialect other than English, and who require focused educational support to assist them in attaining proficiency in Standard Australian English. EAL/D was previously referred to as English as a Second Language (ESL).

Useful EAL/D Resources

EAL/D Parent Fact Sheet

The EAL/D parent fact sheet aligns with the EAL/D teacher fact sheets and provides EAL/D parents with strategies to engage with schools to support their children's educational needs. The fact sheet has been translated into 12 high population and newly emerging languages within the ACT: Arabic, Burmese, Cantonese, Dari, Farsi, Hindi, Karen, Korean, Mandarin, Mon, Urdu and Vietnamese.

Introductory English Centres

Introductory English Centres (IECs) are co-located in mainstream schools and provide support to newly arrived students with minimal English through intensive language teaching, prior to entry into mainstream schooling. IECs provide a safe and inviting place to introduce school life in Australia to students with little or no English. Schools can contact the executive teacher attached to each IEC to discuss possible enrolment of students.